When told of the press's boos by Vulture, Refn simply replied: "Oh, cool."

Asked if the idea of booing excited him, he continued: "I mean, how can I expect someone to not react like this when on one hand you are dropping what you do in everyone's face and at the same time saying, 'Love me, please', you know?

"You're going to get that. You know, great art - horrible thing to say - but art is meant to divide, because if it doesn't divide, it doesn't penetrate, and if it doesn't penetrate, you just consume it."

Speculating on the reasons for the reception, the director added: "People have so many strange opinions, and also, a lot of people begin to own you and they want you to do things in a specific way."

He also appeared unfazed by suggestions that the film favors style over substance, commenting: "Wasn't that the same critique they gave Drive? And I think it's a strange critique. I mean substance, God, there's so much going on. What else would they want?"

Refn recently discussed the bond between himself and Gosling, saying: "Ryan and I are practically one. We are so very similar, it's like we must have been twins separated at birth."